Looking for some ideas to entertain those �pirates� of the summer? Try some of these ideas to help pass some of the time.

One of the things that comes to my mind when I think of pirates is looking for treasure. Have some fun creating a treasure map for your child to follow. This could be as simple as a piece of construction paper with some simple pictures drawn on it to something that resembles a real treasure map. To give your map a more realistic look, try using tan or light brown paper. Use markers to draw different things, or use pictures from a magazine or photos to make the destinations on your map. Trim the map so the edges seem to be a bit worn, then use a match to burn the edges of the paper. It is easier than it sounds, and if you get real good, the paper will brown and you can move the match before it burns. This should only be done by an adult, and without small children around to either get burnt or distract the adult making the map. If you want to really liven things up, make it almost like a scavenger hunt and have different clues located at several locations on the map.

If you have a treasure map, you should have a treasure to be found. Depending on how big your �treasure� is, you could use something as small as a shoebox to a larger box to fit the treasure. I would recommend a shoebox that has a hinged top. Cover it with brown paper and decorate it to look like a treasure chest. This could be done using markers, construction paper or even something like modeling clay or dough that would give a raised effect to the decorations.
What would you put into your treasure chest? That really depends on what you want to do. If you want to have some silver pieces, you could cut out cardboard circles and cover them with aluminum foil. Looking for something to do with those beads? Create some �valuable� jewelry to place in the chest. Or, you could put in some games or other activities that your pirate could play as a reward for finding the treasure.

What would a pirate be without an eye patch? These are easy to make. Add a bandana, some pirate type clothing and you should have the best looking pirate around!